BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet light induces sunburn, aging of the skin, disorders of pigment and even promotes skin cancers. Melanin is known to have a protecting role in the skin by blocking ultraviolet light. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate UVA blocking effect of epidermal melanin and to compare UVA blocking effect among different anatomical sites. METHODS: From 20 vitiligo patients who had undergone an epidermal graft, we obtained epidermis of normal and vitiliginous skin and measured transmitted UVA energy density. RESULTS: The vitiliginous epidermis, devoid of melanin, blocked lower amount of UVA energy than the normal epidermis. 11.6% of irradiated UVA energy was blocked by epidermal melanin. No significant differences were observed in UVA blocking effect among different anatomical sites in normal and vitiliginous epidermis. CONCLUSION: Epidermal melanin has some UVA blocking effect. No significant differences were found in UVA blocking effect among different anatomical sites despite the differences in the density of melanin pigment among different sites of the body.
Aging ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Melanins* ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Sunburn ; Transplants ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Vitiligo*

The ideal restorative material should mimic the properties of the tissues it replaces. Dental composite resins have been used widely as restorative materials due to its advantages such as excellent esthetics and ease of manipulation. But inadequate wear resistance has been a major factor limiting the use of composite restorative materials. Improved manufacturing techniques have allowed the development of hybrid composites, with a greater percentage volume filler loading, which have improved physical an mechanical properties. However they are lacking the study wear resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wear of human enamel against ceromer by the use of a pin-on-disk type wear testers. Discs of ceromer(Targis : Ivoclar, Vivadent, Amherst. NY) and discs of type III gold alloy as a control were used for test specimens. Intact cusp of premolar and molar were used for enamel specimens. The wear of enamel was determined by weighing the cusp before and after each test, and the weight converted to volumes by average density of enamel. Surface profilometer was used to quantify wear of the ceromer and gold specimens. Vicker's hardness tester was used to evaluate the surface hardness of test specimens. The SEM was used to evaluate the wear surfaces. The results were as follows; 1. Ceromer produced less enamel wear than gold(p<0.05). 2. The wear volume of ceromer was greater than that of gold(p<0.01). 3. The hardess of ceromer was lower than that of gold, but there was no correlation between the hardness and wear of the ceromer and gold. 4. SEM analysis revealed that there were many voids and microcracks in the wear tract of ceromer. in gold group, many minute V-shaped grooves were examined.
Alloys ; Bicuspid ; Composite Resins ; Dental Enamel* ; Esthetics ; Hardness ; Hardness Tests ; Humans* ; Molar

Background: Cerebral palsy is due to static encephalopathy during perinatal period. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) involves selective division of posterior nerve roots to reduce spasticity and improve function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Anesthesia during SDR must preserve muscle contraction in response to direct electrical stimulation of the dorsal nerve roots. We did this study to get the better management of anesthesia for SDR. Methods: Anesthetic records were reviewed for 16 patients who underwent SDR during January 1996 to August 1997. Demographic data; anesthetic drugs and doses; changes of vital signs and end tidal CO2; dorsal root stimulation; postoperative pain control were analysed. Results: The mean age of patients was 4.9+/-1.7 years old. The mean weight was 16.3+/-4.0 kg. The under 1 MAC concentration of isoflurane and 2~3 mcg/kg/hr fentanyl did not interfere with electrophysiologic monitoring. Esophageal temperature was increased significantly during electrical stimulation of dorsal roots. End tidal CO2 concentration had a tendency to increase after electrical stimulation too. Direct installation of 10~15 mcg/kg intrathecal morphine prior to dural closure, and postoperative 0.5 mcg/kg/hr fentanyl had a good postoperative analgesia without complication. Conclusions: Isoflurane and fentanyl during anesthesia, and intrathecal morphine with continuous infusion of fentany postoperatively are suggested a good anesthetic method for SDR.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Electric Stimulation ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Morphine ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle Spasticity ; Pain, Postoperative ; Rhizotomy* ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Vital Signs

No abstract available.
Child* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats* ; Superoxides*

Heat stroke, a medical emergency, occurs when the body's thermal regulation is upset and unable to dissipate adequate amounts of heat with a rise in body temperature. It is characterized by hyperyrexia, with a core temperature of 40degrees C or more, hot dry skin, and central nervous system disturbance and usually results in rhabdomyolysis and multiorgan failure. Our case, a 43-year-old healthy male, was caused by a marathon, half course, on a sunny day in late summer. He suddenly fell down on the road and was delivered to a nearby hospital, where a seizure developed. He was transfered to our hospital and then displayed Central Nervous System disturbance, hot dry skin, acute liver failure, rhabdomyolysis, anuric acute renal failure, and disseminated intravasculular coagulopathy. He was treated with general supportive care and hemofiltration. Despite the aggressive management, he died of shock on the fifth day after admission.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Adult ; Body Temperature ; Central Nervous System ; Emergencies ; Heat Stroke* ; Hemofiltration ; Hot Temperature* ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; Male ; Rhabdomyolysis ; Seizures ; Shock ; Skin

No abstract available.
Ultrasonography, Prenatal*

No abstract available.
Pyelonephritis, Xanthogranulomatous* ; Wilms Tumor*

Purpose: This study aimed to compare a dynamic neuromuscular training program with a static neuromuscular training program for taekwondo players. Methods: This study design was a randomized control trial. Three high school taekwondo teams (taekwondo neuromuscular training [TNT] group, 22; Get Set group, 17; and control group, 24) participated in the study. Get Set group performed a program focused on the static movement, and TNT group performed a program which was modified Get Set to dynamic movement. Control group maintained the existing taekwondo training without any intervention. The intervention group performed 15-minute training three times a week for 6 weeks. Dynamic Postural Stability Index (DPSI) and time-to-boundary test (TTB) tests were performed before and after 6 weeks of training. Results: As a result of DPSI, an interaction effect was observed only in the anterior/posterior stability index of the dominant leg of the TNT and Get Set groups (p＜0.05). However, there was no difference between the TNT and the Get Set groups.As a result of TTB analysis, no statistical effect was observed in all variables of the dominant and non-dominant legs. Conclusion As a result of conducting 6-week dynamic and static neuromuscular training for taekwondo athletes, the effect of training was found in both the intervention group. However, differences in training effects between groups could not be proved. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly confirm the difference between the two training through long-term follow-up studies.

No abstract available.
Mediastinum*